Container dumping mechanism



Sept. 21, 1965 T. E. 0RD 3,207,345

CONTAINER DUMPING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 8, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l THOMASE. 0RD W ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 5. 0 3,207,345

CONTAINER DUMPING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 8, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORTHOMAS E. 0RD

BYWJ/ ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 T. E. 0RD

CONTAINER DUMPING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 8, 1963 R o T DN R W O m E s w A 1 M I w w T Y B ATTORNE United States Patent 3,207,345CONTAINER DUMPING MECHANISM Thomas E. 0rd, 1020 Uvalda St., Aurora,Colo. Filed Nov. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 322,412 12 Claims. (Cl. 214-302) Thepresent invention relates to a loader and carrier mechanism that isparticularly adapted to load and carry t-rash received from varioustypes of presently used refuse containers. Insofar as the systemprovides facility for handling of bottom dump collector units, thisapplication is a continuation in part of an earlier application, SerialNo. 178,834, filed March 12, 1962.

While the present embodiment of the invention incor porates some of thebeneficial features of the previous disclosure, the present mechanismhas additional features that are provided to satisfy specific additionalobjectives.

These additional objectives which, accordingly, should be considered assupplementary to the objectives set forth in the original applicationinclude the provision of additional mechanisms to facilitate thehandling of various types of top dumping refuse containers.

A further specific object is to provide a single mechanism that isadaptable to handle and dump either bottom dump containers or variousexisting top dump containers interchangeably.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide suchadaptable features in a structure providing the required mechanismswithin load and road width limitations.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved hoist anddumping mechanisms of relatively simplified construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved carrierclosure mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide hoisting and containerpositioning mechanisms of simplified construction and operationaldesign.

A specific object of the present invention is the provision of a hoistmechanism for use with refuse containers which provides clearancebetween the hoist elements and the vehicle cab for the convenientthrough passage of operator and helper personnel while involved incontainer engaging operations.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the appended description and drawings, in which FIG. 1 is aperspective illustration showing the assembled relation of parts in apreferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial section showing the travel-carryposition for the hoist mechanisms,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view specifically illustrating some of the featuresof the top carrier closure assembly,

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are partial side elevations showing step processes inthe hoisting and dumping cycle for bottom dump type refuse containers,

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are partial side elevations illustrating step processesin the hoisting and dumping cycle for top dump type refuse containers,

FIG. 10 is a front elevation illustrating the specific mechanisms of apreferred embodiment of a head frame,

FIG. 11 is a side elevation along the line 1111 of FIG. 10, and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevation showing the features of a lockmechanism utilized in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a refuse containerhandling system and mechanism which is adaptable to engage, hoist,position and dump conventional existing types of either bottom dump ortop dump refuse collection containers. The mechanism incorporates loadengaging and hoisting components and further provides for the alternatehandling of refuse containers of small size or of a size that is toolarge for handling with conventional equipment without exceeding loadwidth highway regulations. Main features of the present embodiment ofthe invention, in addition to the reciprocally movable hoist arms andreciprocal side walls of the Van carrier are embodied in the head frameconstruction and in the top receptacle closure mechanism.

The head frame is of modified construction as compared to that shown inthe previously filed patent application, inasmuch as the present headframe provides fork arms for use in connection with top dumpingcontainers in addition to a hook, hoist, and lock mechanism used forbottom dump containers. Power rotation and frame interlock members arealso provided for separate operation to assure proper and independentoperation of either the bottom or top dump features. The top closuremechanism is cooperatively integrated with the hoist arm liftingarrangement whereby the top receptacle opening for the van carrier willbe securely and automatically closed whenever the hoist arms are intheir lowered or travelcarry positions and will be open for the receiptof trash materials whenever the hoist arms are raised to the respectivecontainer dumping positions.

A preferred embodiment of the invention which incorporates thebeneficial features of the present objects is shown in the accompanyingfigures. FIGURE 1, which illustrates the cooperative assembly of suchpreferred embodiment, provides an overall illustration of the relativepositioning and operation of the main components of this embodiment.This figure shows the mechanisms of this invention applied to andcarried on a conventional type van carrier vehicle 11, which preferablyis of the cab forward type, providing a cab 12 and a closed van body 13on the vehicle frame 14. As in the previous embodiment, the van body 13is provided with a forward receptacle opening 16 for the receipt oftrash materials. The unit further provides a sliding packer plate 17which is movable from a forward position toward the rear of the van body13 as necessary to push the received trash materials and compact themtoward the rear of the vehicle.

As in the previous embodiment, movable side walls 18 are providedadjacent the front receptacle 16 so that the dump pins 19 ofconventional dump containers 21 will not interfere with the van sidesduring the dumping operations. The movable side walls illustrated in thepresent embodiment are pivotally movable about a lower hinge point 22which is on the frame 14 and in position above a lower guide channel 23for the packer plate 17.

A major component that is closely allied to the receptacle opening 16and movable side walls 18 is the top closure assembly. This top closureis simply a moving door 24 which can be moved away from a forward closedposition in which the receptacle opening 16 is fully closed by reason ofa tight and secure engagement between the door, the movable side Walls18 and a front wall 26 of the van carrier. As the door is opened, itmoves rearwardly and upwardly out of engagement with such elements untilthe front edge 27 of the door 24 is beyond the rear limit of thereceptacle opening 16. This movement pattern for the door 24 is obtainedby mounting and supporting the door on the tension arms 29 of the hoistframe raising mechanism. As illustrated, this mechanism includes atelescoping hydraulic cylinder 31 which is mounted on the top 32 of thevan body 13 to move a guide block 33 reciprocally along guide channels34 as the hydraulic cylinder 31 is extended or retracted. The force ofsuch hydraulic action is transmitted by means of the tension arms 29 toa cross frame 36 disposed between the opposed hoist arm-s 37. With thisarrangement, extension of telescoping cylinder 31 not only opens thedoor 24 but also raises hoist arms 37 about the lower pivot mounts 39.This cooperative openation of the door closure, the hoist arms 37 andthe telescoping closure cylinder 31 is very beneficial, since it is wellto maintain the receptacle opening closed at all times that the vehicle:is traveling from site to site, and it is also desirable to have thehoist arms 37 in lowered position at such times.

This beneficial conjoint result is automatically obtained, sincepositioning of the hoist arms in the travel-carry position as shown inFIG. 2, or in the head frame down position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7,will leave the door 24 closed. Extension of the cylinder 31 to move thehoist arms 37 to their raised position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 willmove the door 24 to a fully open and out of the way position so that thetrash materials may be dumped into the receptacle v pening 16.

The hoist arms 37 are of modified construction as compared to that shownin the previous application. The present hoist arm assembly is atwo-piece structure, inclusive of the side arms 38 and the lower crankarms 41. As illustrated, the crank arms 41 and side arms 38 arepivotally secured each to each by use of the pivot pins 42. The relativeangular position of the crank arm to side arm assembly is determined bythe extension of the side arm cylinders 43. In the travel-carry positionthis cylinder 43 is retracted; while in the dump position, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 9, the cylinder 43 is extended. This modified type of hoistarm assembly has been found to be advantageous inasmuch as it providesfull clearance for the cab 12 so that personnel may move freely in andout of such cab. It further makes it possible to obtain adequateclearance above the top of the cab 12 for all components as even largecollection containers are being moved to the various hoisting anddumping positions. Clearance past the top of the cab in the hoistingoperations illustrated in FIGS. and 8 would be difiicult without suchtwo-part assembly.

It should further be noted that this assembly provides satisfaction ofan additional beneficial objective, inasmuch as clearance is availablebetween the front of the cab and the head frame assembly 44 so that anoperator or helper may pass between the container and the vehicle cabwhen the hoist unit is being engaged to or being disengaged from eitherbottom dump or top dump containers. Inasmuch as customers often preferto locate their collection containers against building walls or dockfacilities, this provision of clearance eliminates the necessity for theoperator to walk entirely around the back of the vehicle or through thecab when it is desired to engage the cable hooks 46 of a bottom dumphoisting apparatus or to adjust the forks 47 of the top dump hoistingmechanism.

It should further be noted that the hoist arm assemblies 37 in thepresent embodiment are in part similar to those of the earlierapplication, since they are reciprocally movable 'along the lower pivotmounts 39 to provide adequate clearance past the movable side walls 18when the walls are in their outwardly extended position. This reciprocalmovement feature is also incorporated in the construction of the crossarm 36 and in the construction and assembly of the head frame pivotmount assembly 49. At the cross arm 36 the box structure of such crossarm allows the elements 52 to slide reciprocally as the hoist arms 37are extended or retracted.

'In similar manner, the top tube frame 49 provides for reciprocalmovement of the pivot stubs 53, which are received within the interiorof the tube structure 49. As the hoist arms 37 are moved outwardly toobtain clearance past the moving side walls 18, the stub pivots 53 willmove outwardly with respect to the tube frame 49. The outward reciprocalmovement at the lower pivot mounts 39, at the box frame 36 and at thepivot mount assembly or tube frame 49 is all accomplished by operationof the hydraulic cylinders 54 and 55 placed respectively at the lowerpivot mount 39 and at the cross arm 36. The movable side walls 18 areextended and retracted by operation of the hydraulic cylinders 56. Theseextension cylinders are all retracted when the particular refusecontainers have been replaced at the collection point, and thereafterthe carrier may travel along roads and highways and without exceedingroad width limitations.

The mechanisms which make it possible to handle either bottom or topdump containers 21 or 51 are predominantly embodied in the new andmodified construction for the head frame 44. The features of thisconstruction are most fully shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, but the operationthereof is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 through 9. This structurecomprises a top pivot mount or tube frame 49 that is rigidly attached tothe operator arms 57 and to outer frame pieces 58. With thisconstruction, extension of the head frame cylinders 60 will cause acorresponding movement of the operator arms 57, the tube 49 and the uterframe pieces 58. A lower rotatable shaft 59 on the outer frame pieces 58completes a box frame construction which provides support for twoalternate collection container handling assemblies.

A first assembly or moving frame 65, which is mounted by means ofbearings 71 on the tube 49 for ordinarily free pivotal movement isessentially made up of four vertically disposed stringers 61. All of thestringers 61 provide rigid frame strength while the inwardly disposedstringers 61 support a dump hook 62. Stringers 61 are joined together attheir lower extremity by a cross piece 63 to complete a moving frame 65.The free pivotal movement of the assembled moving frame 65 is limited inone direction by the lower stops 64. These stops 64 are operatively .ona side of the moving frame 65 opposite the dump hook 62. Accordingly,when the dump hook 62 is engaged to a collection container, this movingframe 65 will in effect he held for movement with the uter framestructure 58 by action of the dump hook 62 and by the side walls of thecollection container itself. Accordingly, this moving frame 65 will movethrough a dumping pattern as defined by the cooperative extension andretraction of the head frame cylinders 60, of the hoist arm cylinders43, and to some extent by action of the dump cable cylinders 66.

The head frame structure 44 further provides mechanism for engaging anddumping top dump type collec tion containers. This mechanism includesfork arms 47 which are mounted on the lower shaft 59 and which areadapted for rotational movement therewith. Reciprocal movement along theshaft 59 is possible through provision of splines 68. In the use ofthese fork arms 47, the head frame 44 is lowered to a pick-up positionas shown in FIGURE 7. Thereafter the fork arms 47 are rotated to a nearhorizontal position through actuation of a rotary actuator 72 or otherpowered mechanism. At the same time, the fork arms 47 may be movedreciprocally and laterally along the splines 68 to accommodate andengage arm receiving sockets or shoulders on the sides of presentlyexisting types of top dump containers 51. After the arms 47 are properlyengaged with the top dump container, the head frame 44 and hoist arms 37will be raised through an elevating cycle as illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8and 9 to bring the top dump container 51 into position above thereceptacle opening 16 of the van 13. Cooperative operation of the headframe cylinders 60 and of the rotary actuator 72 thereafter moves thehead frame and the carried top dump container 51 through a requireddumping cycle.

This dumping cycle, as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9,. requires elevation ofthe head frame 44 away from the gravitational position maintained by thefreely hanging, moving frame 65. With the moving frame 65 out of theway, it is possible for the top dump container 51 to berotatedrearwardly by action of the rotary actuator 72.. The top dump container51 is moved to the inverted osition illustrated in FIGURE 9 to dischargethe contents.

of such container into the open receptacle 16. The de-- scribeddivergent movement of the main head frame com ponents and the separatemoving frame 65 is ordinarily accomplished by gravitational forcesacting against the moving frame. It should be obvious, however, that thedesired result can be obtained by power means applied to energize suchdivergent movement pattern. Such movement pattern is, in fact, in partcontrolled in the present embodiment of the invention, inasmuch asdivergent movement is prevented when the dump hook 62 on the movingframe 65 is engaged with the ball of a bottom dump type container.

The divergent movement is also controlled through provision of a catchelement 73 on the shaft 59 which engages with the stops 64 disposed onthe bottom of the cross piece 63. As shown in FIGURE 12, the catch 73engages a lip 74 on stop 64 when the fork arms 47 are in a vertical oraligned position. Conversely, when the fork arms 47 are moved to theirforwardly and horizontally disposed position by energization of therotary actuator 72, the catch and lip 73 and 74 will be disengaged tofree the moving frame 65. The subsequent gravitational movement of suchmoving frame 65 is, of course, of benefit in the dumping cycle of topdump containers, since it opens a through passage between the side frameelements 58 for the reverse. dumping movement of top dump containers.

The actual dump cycles when the present embodiment of the invention isbeing used with various types of col *lection containers will perhaps bemore fully understood after re-reference to the diagrams of sheet 2.FIGURES 4,

5 and 6 illustrate a typical dump cycle for a bottom dump type container21. In FIGURE 4 of these illustrations the hoist arms 37 are in loweredposition, and the head frame 44 has been moved outwardly throughactuation of the head frame cylinders 60. When the head frame 44 is inits lowered position in front of the truck cab 12, cable cylinders 66are extended so that the cable hooks 46 may be engaged to the dump pins19 of the bottom dump container 21'. As a next step, the cable.

cylinders 66 are retracted, and the cable moves inwardly to raise andelevate the bottom dump container until a bail (not shown) on the sideof the receptacle 21 engages the dump hook 62. Thereafter, the headframe 44 (inclusive of moving frame 65) and the collection container 21,will move together as a unit through an elevating arc to the point ofrefuse discharge. FIGURE 5 illustrates an intermediate position in suchraising arc.

In FIGURE 5 it will be noted that the hoist arm cylinders 43 areextended to change the angle between the side arms 37 and the crank arms41. This change in angle allows the head frame 44 and the refusecontainer 21 to clear the front and top of the vehicle cab 12 as thehoist arm assembly 37 is rotated about its lower pivot 39 by action ofthe telescoping cylinder 31. Extension of the cylinder 31, of course,energizes a corresponding opening movement for the top closure door 24.When the telescoping hoist cylinder 31 is fully extended, the container21 will be in position above the receptacle opening 16 of the van 13.Thereafter, the cable cylinder 66 will be extended, and such extensionof the cable will allow the bottom77 of the container to fall downwardlyso that the accumulated rubbish in the container 21 will be completelydischarged.

Subsequent steps in the return cycle of operations require, first, aretraction of the cable cylinder 66 and cooperative retraction oftelescoping cylinder 31 and hoist arm cylinders 43 until the container21 is again in posi tion in front of the vehicle but elevated above thesupporting ground. When in this position, the dump hook 62 is disengagedfrom the bail, and'the cable cylinder 66 issubsequently extended tolower the collection container to the ground in position as desired bythe customer. As previously set forth, this position can be tight upagainst a building or other structure, since the driver-operator has an'open passage between the head frame 44 and the vehicle so that he caneasilyv detach the cables from the box.

The dumping cycle for a top dump type container has in part beenpreviously explained, but a quick review is possible in connection witha further description of FIG- URES 7, 8 and 9. FIGURE 7 shows the hoistarms 37 and the head frame 44 in desired position with the fork arms 47extended forwardly into engagement with receptacles on the top dumpcontainer 51. In the position shown in FIGURE 8, hoist arm cylinder 43has been partially extended, and a corresponding extension oftelescoping cylinder 31 (not shown) has again raised the hoist arms 37and head frame 44 to a position which clears the cab structure. The factthat the moving frame hangs gravitationally in such operation isillustrated, and it should be noted that the hoist arm cylinders 43 mustbe capable of providing sufficient extension for the attainment ofproper clearance between the top of the cab 12 and the downwardlyhanging moving frame 65. Asshown in this figure, the fork arms 47 shouldpreferably be arranged for rotation to an angle of greater than ninetydegrees in the forward direction so that the container 51 may bemaintained in substantially level position as it moves through itsrequired dumping pattern. This requirement is of special importancewhere the materials being collected in the containers are of a spillablenature. When the hoist arms 37 have moved rearwardly so that thecontainer 51 is substantially positioned over the receptacle opening 16,cooperative actuation of frame cylinders 60 and rotary actuator 72 maybe used to move the top dump container 51 into an inverted positiondirectly above the receptacle opening 16. After the contents have beencompletely dumped by operation of such inverting facility, a reverserotation of the actuator 72 will initiate a return cycle.

The fact that the disclosed system provides a mechanism for handlingeither top dump or bottom dump collection containers is of primaryimportance. The further fact that the system is capable of handlingexisting types of bottom dump and top dump containers is of addedimportance. These special handling capabilities are of considerableimportance at the present time, since the handling of trash and refusebecomes more ditficult with the passage of time, increases in populationand the consequent remote location of municipal dump facilities.

The remote location of dump facilities and the high cost of labor makesit imperative to reduce the frequency of required trips to and from themunicipal dump. The frequency of required trips can be reduced throughprovision of a larger carrier van that is adapted to receive collectedmaterials from a number of collection containers. Eflicient collectionoperations, however, further require that the carrier van be adapted tohandle both large and small types of collection containers. Actualoperations in different cities has further shown that it is difficultfor a disposal contractor to confine his services to only a single classof large or small manufacturing or processing customers. Accordingly, ifequipment is purchased and provided for the handling of largecontainers, points of call must be established throughout the fullmunicipal territory for such equipment. At the same time other customershaving small collection containers must now be serviced by a differenttype of equipment which in effect covers the same trade territory.

The fact that the equipment presently disclosed is capable of handlingboth large and small collection containers of either the top dump orbottom dump type makes it possible for the disposal contractor to moreefficiently apply and use a single carrier in a smaller designated areaof the entire municipal territory. Where a full load may be picked upindiscriminately from large or small or bottom or top dump containers,the van may be more readily filled, and, accordingly, the overall traveldistance of collection operations may be reduced. The consequentreduction in labor and travel mileage represents a considerable savingover present systems and materially contributes to the greater overallefiiciency 1 of the present system. When this more efficient conceptfurther makes it possible for operator-contractors to con tinue to usecollection containers that might otherwise make the handling equipmentso large as to exceed highway width limitations, it is believed that asignificant advantage is presented.

Other advantages inherent in the present disclosure may be embodied inmechnisms incorporating different features of structure and mechanism.All such modifications of the present invention as come within the scopeof the hereunto appended claims are considered to be a part of thisinvention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for handling refuse collection containers and for receivingand dumping the materials collected therein comprising a frame support,a van carrier on said frame providing an enclosure adapted to receiverefuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor openingfor the introduction of said materials, hoist arms on said framesupport, container engaging means on said hoist arms, a cross armpositioned between said hoist arms, a hoist arm raising and loweringmechanism, tension arms interconnecting the cross arm of said hoist armsand said raising and lowering mechanism, a door member for selectivelyclosing off said receptor opening when said van carrier is being movedalong streets and highways and for movement to an out of way positionwhen it is desired to discharge materials into said receptor opening,and means joining said door to said tenson arms for movement therewithwhereby said receptor opening will be opened when said hoist arms areraised.

2. Apparatus for handling refuse collection containers and for receivingand dumping the materials collected therein comprising a frame support,a van carrier on said frame providing an enclosure adapted to receiverefuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor openingfor the introduction of said materials, hoist arms on said framesupport, container engaging means on said hoist arms, a cross armpositioned between said hoist arms, a hoist arm raising and loweringmechanism, inclusive of a hydraulic cylinder mounted on top of said vancarrier and extending away from said receptor opening, tension armsinterconnecting the cross arm of said hoist arms and said hydrauliccylinder, a door member for selectively closing off said receptoropening when said van carrier is being moved along streets and highwaysand for movement to an out of way position when it is desired todischarge materials into said receptor opening, and means joining saiddoor to said tension arms for movement therewith whereby said receptoropening will be opened when said hoist arm raising and loweringmechanism is raised and will be closed when said hoist arm raising andlowering mechanism is lowered.

3. Apparatus for the handling of refuse collection containers and forreceiving and dumping the materials collected therein comprising a framesupport, a personnel cab on said frame support, a van carrier on saidframe in position behind said cab providing an enclosure adapted toreceive refuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptoropening at the cab end thereof for the introduction of said materials,hoist arms on said frame support, a cross arm positioned between saidhoist arms, a hoist arm raising and lowering mechanism, and a head frameon the free end of said hoist arms for engaging said refuse containers,said head frame being pivotally movable to positions aligned with saidhoist arms and nested therebetween when in a travel-carry position andalternately extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom in position infront of said cab and spaced therefrom a distance adequate to provide athrough passage and walkway for operator personnel between said cab andhead frame.

4. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component for engaging said top dump refusecontainers and a moving frame component normally useful when handlingsaid bottom dump containers and adapted for selectively independentmovement to an out of way position with respect to said box framecomponent when top dump containers are being handled by said apparatus.

5. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component, normally useful for engaging saidtop dump refuse containers, a moving frame component adapted forselectively independent movement with respect to said box framecomponent, and a dump hook on said head frame for engaging elements ofconventional bottom dump containers when disposed against said headframe for holding said box frame and moving frame components togetherand against such bottom dump containers for conjoint movement when it isdesired to raise and move conventional bottom dump containers through adumping cycle.

6. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component, a moving frame component normallyuseful when handling said bottom dump containers and adapted for freegravitational movement with respect to said box frame component, topdump container engaging means on said head frame, and means for movingsaid container engaging means through said head frame and past the freemoving frame.

7. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component, a moving frame component adapted forfree gravitational movement with respect to said box frame component,means on said head frame for receiving bottom dump containers, top dumpcontainer engaging means on said box frame, and rotary means for movingsaid engaging means through a container engaging and dumping cycleWhereby a top dump container engaged by said engaging means will bemoved through the box frame component of said head frame to an invertedrefuse discharging position above the receptor opening of said vancarrier when said rotary means is actuated.

8. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component, a moving frame component adapted forselectively independent movement with respect to said box framecomponent, means on said head frame for engaging bottom dump containers,a rotatably mounted shaft on said box frame component, fork arms on saidshaft for rotation therewith, and hydraulic means for selectivelyenergizing such rotation to move said fork arms through a containerengaging and dumping cycle whereby a top dump container engaged by saidfork arms will be moved through the box frame component of said headframe to an inverted refuse discharging position above the receptoropening of said van carrier.

9. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component, a moving frame component adapted forselectively independent movement with respect to said box framecomponent, means on said moving frame for engaging bottom dumpcontainers, a rotatable shaft at the lower end of said box framecomponent, fork arms on said shaft for reciprocal movement therealong tofacilitate engagement of said arms with top dump containers of varyingsize, said fork arms being rotatable with said shaft at all reciprocalpoistions, and power means for rotating said shaft, fork arms andcontainers engaged thereby through a container engaging and dumpingcycle whereby a top dump container engaged by said fork arms will bemoved through the box frame component of said head frame to an invertedrefuse discharging position above the receptor opening of said vancarrier.

10. Apparatus for the selective handling of bottom dump and top dumprefuse collection containers and for receiving and dumping the materialscollected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on saidframe providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, saidvan carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction ofsaid materials, hoist arms on said frame support, a hoist arm raisingand lowering mechanism, a head frame on the free end of said hoist armsfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, said head frame beinginclusive of a box frame component, a moving frame component adapted forselectively independent movement with respect to said box framecomponent, means on said moving frame for selectively engaging bottomdump containers, a rotatably mounted shaft on said box frame component,fork arms on said shaft for rotation therewith adapted for selectiveengagement with top dump containers, hydraulic means for selectivelyenergizing such rotation to move said fork arms through a containerengaging and dumping cycle whereby a top dump container engaged by saidfork arms will be moved through the box frame component of said headframe to an inverted refuse discharging position above the receptoropening of said van carrier, and a lock element on said rotary shaft foralternately and selectively holding said box frame and moving framecomponents for conjoint movement.

11. Apparatus for handling refuse containers and for receiving anddumping matefials collected therein comprising a frame support, a vancarrier on said frame, a bottom, a top, front and back walls on said vancarrier, a pivotally movable side wall cooperatively ararnged with saidbottom, top, front and back to provide an enclosure adapted to receiverefuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor openingadjacent said pivotally movable side wall for the introduction of saidmaterials, a top closure for selectively closing said receptor opening,lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mountsadapted for pivoting and reciprocal movement with respect to saidmounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, meansfor forcibly rotating said hoist arms about said pivot mounts to raiseand lower said arms and the refuse containers supported thereby, meansfor dumping said containers, means for moving said hoist armsreciprocally along said pivot mounts to provide necessary and otherwiseinadequate clearance for rotational movement of said hoist arms past theside wall of said van carrier when in its outwardly pivoted position,and means actuated with said hoist arms for opening said top closurewhen the refuse containers are elevated to the dumping position.

12. Apparatus for handling refuse containers and for receiving anddumping materials collected therein comprising a frame support, a vancarrier on said frame, a bottom, a top, front and back Walls on said vancarirer, a pivotally movable side wall cooperatively arranged with saidbottom, top, front and back to provide an enclosure adapted to receiverefuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor openingadjacent said pivotally movable side wall for the introduction of saidmaterials, a top closure for selectively closing said receptor opening,lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mountsadapted for pivoting and reciprocal movement with respect to saidmounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, anupper cross member interconnnecting said hoist arms for conjointmovement to alternate positions of use, means for forcibly rotating saidhoist arms about said pivot mounts to raise and lower said arms and therefuse containers supported thereby, means for dumping said containers,means for moving said hoist arms reciprocally outwardly along said pivotmounts and with respect to said upper cross member to adjust theclearance between said hoist arms for rotational movement of said hoistarms past the side wall of said van carrier when in its outwardlypivoted position, and means actuated with said hoist arms for opening sa id top closure when the refuse containers are elevated to the dumpingposition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,626,069 1/53Jones 2l4302 2,826,318 3/58 Beasley 2l4302 2,877,910 3/59 Nelson 2l43022,900,096 8/59 Dempster et al 2l4302 2,908,411 10/59 Ambarcumian 2l43023,112,834 12/63 Dempster et al 2l4302 2,137,930 6/64 Smith 2l4308 X3,140,787 7/64 Clar 2l4302 3,140,788 7/64 Clar 214-302 FOREIGN PATENTS1,073,956 1/ 60 Germany.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING REFUSE COLLECTION CONTAINERS AND FOR RECEIVINGAND DUMPING THE MATERIALS COLLECTED THEREIN COMPRISING A FRAME SUPPORT,A VAN CARRIER ON SAID FRAME PROVIDING AN ENCLOSURE ADAPTED TO RECEIVEREFUSE MATERIALS, SAID VAN CARRIER FURTHER PROVIDING A RECEPTOR OPENINGFOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SAID MATERIALS, HOIST ARMS ON SAID FRAMESUPPORT, CONTAINER ENGAGING MEANS ON SAID HOIST ARMS, A CROSS ARMPOSITIONED BETWEEN SAID HOIST ARMS, A HOIST ARM RAISING AND LOWERINGMECHANISM, TENSION ARMS INTERCONNECTING THE CROSS ARM OF SAID HOIST,ARMS AND SAID RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM, A DOOR MEMBER FORSELECTIVELY CLOSING OFF SAID RECEPTOR OPENING WHEN SAID VAN CARRIER ISBEING MOVED ALONG STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AND FOR MOVEMENT TO AN OUT OF WAYPOSITION WHEN IT IS DESIRED TO DISCHARGE MATERIALS INTO SAID RECEPTOROPENING, AND MEANS JOINING SAID DOOR TO SAID TENSION ARMS FOR MOVEMENTTHEREWITH WHEREBY SAID RECEPTOR OPENING WILL BE OPENED WHEN SAID HOISTARMS ARE RAISED.